Spaghetti with Meatballs

Tonight's Menu

Spaghetti with Chicken meatballs

Toasted baguette rubbed with garlic and drizzled with olive oil

Wine Pairing: Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling

Spaghetti with meatballs

There is nothing more satisfying than a bowl full of spaghetti and meatballs topped with the perfect tomato sauce. This is certainly not an authentic Italian dish but an American adaptation. But boy is it good. Specially from a kids' outlook, twirling and swirling the strands of pasta in the sauce and sucking them in.
We don't eat beef in our house so I usually make the chicken or lamb meatballs, and you can certainly use any ground meat you like for this recipe. Start with tomato sauce and while its simmering, prepare the meatballs.

Top with grated Parmesan and fresh basil

Tomato Sauce
Ingredients: (Makes 7 cups)
2 tbsp Olive oil
4 Red Onions chopped
5 Cloves of Garlic chopped
4 Bay leaves
1 cup slivered carrots (optional)
12 Tomatoes chopped
1 can Tomato Paste
1 9 oz can Tomato Puree
2 tsp Sugar and Salt to taste
1/4 cup each Fresh Basil and Oregano (1 tbsp each if using dry)    

1. In a large pan heat olive oil and add onion, garlic and bay leaves. Cook till onions soften. 
2. Add the carrots and season with salt and pepper. Cook on high for a minute. 
3. Now add tomatoes, tomato paste and puree, sugar and herbs. At this point can add a tsp or two of hot chili sauce. Stir and bring to boil. 
4. Boil for 2-3 minutes on high, then simmer for 15 minutes.

Meatballs simmering in Spaghetti sauce with slivered carrots

Chicken meatballs
Ingredients: (makes about 25)
1lb minced chicken or turkey
1 egg
1 small onion chopped fine
1/3 cup breadcrumbs soaked in 1/3 cup milk
1/3 cup grated parmigiana (optional)
salt and black pepper

1. Mix all the ingredients for chicken balls together and shape into 1 inch balls. 
2. Deep fry or bake at 375 F for 10-12 minutes till brown on all sides. 
3. Add to the simmering tomato sauce and cook for 10-12 minutes till cooked through.

While this is cooking, boil pasta according to package directions al dente. Drain and serve with meatballs and tomato sauce, topped with fresh chopped basil and grated parmigiana.
Use your toasted bread (plain or flavored with garlic butter) to wipe off any sauce in the plate. Yummmm!!!!